Orthodontic appliance



Nov. 12, 1963 R. BERMAN ETAL 3,110,105

ORTHODONTIC APPLIANCE Filed April 5, 1961 INVENTORS ROBERT BERMAN WALTER H. FORDHAM, JR.

United States Patent 3,110,105 QRTHODONIHJ APPLIANCE Robert Berman and Walter H. Fordharn, In, both of 76 W. Northampton Sh, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Filed Apr. 3, 1961, Ser. No. 100,124 6 Claims. (Cl. 32-14) This invention relates to a novel and improved orthodontic appliance, and more particularly relates to an orthodontic bracket of the type employing eyelets for securing ligature wires thereto in applying a selective force to an arch wire or bar secured to the bracket.

It is recognized that it is well known to form orthodontic brackets which provide an arch wire receiving portion together with eyelets, the latter forming a means of attachment for suitable tie wires or ligatures. For example, reference is made to Patent No. 2,494,540, entitled Tie Eyelet for Orthodontia granted, January 17, 1950, to the assignee of this invention as one well-known mode of forming orthodontic brackets incorporating eyelets. It is now proposed to provide an improved orthodontic bracket of integral form and specifically where the eye-lets form an integral, unitary part of the bracket so as to be immediately available without necessity of special welding or securing to the bracket when required; and furthermore, to form the eyelets in such a way as to be easily accessible for connection of the tie wires without in any way irritating or damaging the patients mouth and while enabling the application of a direct correctional force of the desired magnitude in association with the tie wire when in connected relation with the arch wire.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to make provision for an improved orthodontic bracket, specifically incorporating one or more eyelets which dorm an integral part of the bracket, available for use when required and more easily accessible than in the past for securing of a ligature or tie wire thereto.

It is another object to make provision for a novel and improved orthodontic bracket which is greatly simplified in construction and arrangement, lightweight and which may be integrally formed out of a single stamping.

It is a furthar object of the present invention to make provision for a novel and improved orthodontic bracket formed of a relatively thin stamping of lightweight material and incorporating as an integral part thereof one or more tie eyelets so constructed and arranged in relation to the arch wire securing portion of the bracket as to enable ease of connection of a tie wire for securing to an arch wire, and in particular, relatively light arch wires of the deformable type.

The above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more readily understood from the following detailed description, taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view illustrating a preferred form of orthodonic bracket in connected relation to a tooth band and further illustrating the connected relation between the novel and improved eyelets of the present invention and an arch wire secured to the bracket.

FIGURE 2 is a bottom plan view of the orthodonic bracket shown in FIGURE 1, in accordance with the present invention; and

FIGURE 3 is a side view of the orthodontic bracket shown in FIGURE 1.

Referring in detail to the drawing, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated wherein an orthodontic bracket 19 is broadly comprised of a relatively flat side flange portion 12 flanking a central transverse channel portion 13, and an eyelet 14 is disposed toward the outer end of each flange portion $2. In FIG- URE 1, the bracket is shown in connected relation to the ice face of a tooth band 16 which, in a well-known manner, is formed to encircle the tooth to be corrected.

Assuming for example that the tooth band and bracket are to be positioned on an upper tooth, the bracket would be positioned such that each eyelet 14 would be at the upper edge of the bracket with the channel portion 13 extending downwardly in relation to the flange portion 12. In this relation, it will be seen that the channel 13 is provided with a downwardly facing notch portion 18 formed between the channel and tooth band at the lower terminal edge 19 of the flange portion :12, the notch being formed to receive an arch wire, represented in dotted lines at 20", and the arch Wire is held in place by means of a locking pin 22. The latter is proportioned for insertion upwardly through the channel and includes a lower bent or hooked end portion 2 3 to engage the lower sunface of the arch wire, it being understood that the locking pin 22 itself is representative of various forms of conventional pins of this type now commercially available. In the illustrated form of locking pin 22, the lower hook end 23 is held in clamping engagement against the arch wire by bending upper end 24 at substantially right angles to the length of the channel so as to bear against the upper edge of the channel and to in turn urge the hooked end 23 firmly against the arch wire.

As is customary, the arch wire 24 is actually disposed to extend around the front of the teeth and its ends are secured or affixed to other tooth band-s usually stationed or positioned on the rear teeth of the patient. Essentially, the eyelets 14- are designed to form a part of the bracket so that in the event it is neccessary to apply a correctional force to the tooth, this may easily be accomplished by looping a ligature wire 26 about the arch wire 20 and through either one of the eyelets 14, depending upon the direction of force to be applied. If necessary, of course, ligature wires may be secured to both eyelets if desired and again depending upon the direction of force required in correcting the tooth. in each situation, by drawing the ligature wire taut around the arch wire and through the loops, such as by means of suitable pliers, and by splicing the ends of the ligature wire together a gradual force is applied by the arch wire through the tooth band to the tooth in order to bring about slow corrective movement of the tooth into proper position or alignment.

In order to expedite the entire operation, it is the principal purpose of the present invention to form the eyelets as an integral part of the orthodontic bracket and also to dispose the eyelets in such a way as to be immediately available for use. In other words, the bracket 10 is designed to eliminate the necessity of securing the eyelet to the tooth band or bracket as required but, instead, to prefabricate the eyelet and bracket together; moreover, to position the eyelet or eyelets on the bracket in such a way that they will project forwardly from the tooth hand without becoming a source of irritation, whereby the opening in the eyelet is positioned in spaced relation to the surface of the bracket and tooth band where it is more readily accessible for insertion of the ligature wire therethrough and, furthermore, will be positioned in spaced vertical relation to the arch wire. To this end, each eyelet 14f is in the form of a rounded semicircular tab 28 extending forwardly at right angles to the surface of each flange 12 and having a central opening 29 of limited size for insertion of the ligature wire 26. Additionally, each eyelet is preferably disposed for extension at right angles to the flange in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the arch wire, so that once the ligature wire is loped about the arch wire, one end thereof may be threaded vertically through the opening 29 in tab 28. Thus, by providing a relatively fiat tab portion projecting forwardly from the bracket, the tedious time-consuming operation of applying the ligature Wire through or about eyelets or tabs forming merely a coplanar extension of the flange or bracket is eliminated.

An additional" feature of the present invention is the construction and arrangement of the entire bracket portion which preferably is formed in its entirety, except for the locking pin 22, of a single thin metal stamping which, prior to placement on the tooth band, can be preformed to provide the various connecting elements for the bracket, specifically, the channel 13 and eyelet 14. It is recognized that it is not novel of itself to form an orthodontic bracket of a single stamping; however, the stamping from which the bracket of the present invention is formed is essentially of generally T-shaped configuration wherein the cross portion of the T forms the relatively flat longitudinally-extending flanges 12 with the eyelets 14 forming forward projections from the outer ends of the flanges; the stem of the T is located centrally in relation to the flange portions and by bending may be shaped in the form of the generally U-shaped channel 13 as a transverse continuation of the flange portions. Here, the channel is so dimensioned in relation to the flange as to provide side reinforcing Wing or plate portions 30' which terminate in diagonal edges 19 short of the end of the channel, so that in bending, the free end of the channel beyond the area 39 will form a relatively deep notch 18 with the tooth band, and the edges 19 diverge upwardly away from the notch so as not to contact or interfere in any way with movement of the arch Wire once positioned in the notch. Preferably, the entire stamping is formed of a suitable metal such as a thin sheet'metal which can be easily stamped according to the outline of the bracket then bent into the desired configuration as illustrated in FIGURE 1. 'In this manner, the entire bracket is very lightweight using material only as necessary to secure the bracket to the tooth band and to provide a support for the eyelets, together with the formation of the channel for disposition and locking of the arch wire in place. In this relation, it will be noted how the channel actually forms the arch wire receiving slot or notch for the arch wire, While providing utmost clearance for greatest ease of interconnection between the arch wire and eyelets.

Accordingly, the present invention is considered to represent a vastly improved type of bracket construction preferably of integral form and particularly in the integral formation of eyelet portions which define forward projections of the bracket itself for utmost convenience and ease of attachment. Moreover, the entire bracket construction is simple, compact and inexpensive while being easy to attach and apply in use. In this connection, the bracket according to the preferred form has'particular utility in conjunction with the use of relatively light wire forms of arch wires which are slightly more deformable than the conventional type of arch wire. With the bracket of the present invention, such arch wires, which are generally rounded in cross section, may be easily positioned and, secured in place to the bracket followed by interconnection between the eyelets and arch wire. In addition, the notch 18 can be of a suflicient depth to receive a pair of arch wires, if desired.

' Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present 4 invention is not to be limited to the precise details of construction and arrangement as hereinbefore set forth, and it is obvious that various modifications and changes may be made therein without departing from the essential features thereof as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An orthodontic bracket for attachment to a tooth band comprising an integral relatively thin metal stamping of generally T-shaped configuration defining, when in connected relation to the tooth band, a relatively flat longitudinally extending flange having an eyelet adjacent each opposed end of the flange, each eyelet projecting forwardly from the face of the flange at substantially right angles to the flange, and a centrally disposed channel forming a transverse continuation of said flange along the tooth band, the terminal end of said channel being recessed to provide a transverse notch between said channel and tooth band for reception of an arch wire therein.

2. A light wire orthodontic bracket for attachment to a tooth band comprising an integral relatively thin metal stamping of generally T-shaped configuration defining, when in connected relation to the tooth band, a relatively flat longitudinally extending flange having an eyelet adjacent each opposed end, each eyelet projecting forwardly horn the face ofIthe flange at substantially right angles to the flange and to the vertical axis of the tooth, and a centrally disposed channel forming a transverse continuation of said flange along the tooth band, the terminal end of said channel being recessed to provide a transverse notch between sm'd channel and tooth band for reception of an arch wire therein.

3. An orthodontic bracket according to claim 2 wherein said integral stamping is additionally characterized by reinforcing wing portions in the plane of said flange on opposite sides of said channel extending diagonally awa from said notch.

4. Orthodontic apparatus comprising; in combination, a tooth band; a bracket secured to said tooth band comprising a central channel portion having arms extending on either side thereof substantially perpendicular to the channel and to the vertical axis of the tooth band; sepa-v rate locking means fitting in said channel for looking to one end of said channel an arch wire lying substantially perpendicular to said channel; and tab means on said arms projecting forwardly thereof for attachment of said arch wire thereto.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 including an arch Wire,

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Brusse Apr. 17, 1951 Waldman Nov. 8, 1960 

1. AN ORTHODONTIC BRACKET FOR ATTACHMENT TO A TOOTH BAND COMPRISING AN INTEGRAL RELATIVELY THIN METAL STAMPING OF GENERALLY T-SHAPED CONFIGURATION DEFINING, WHEN IN CONNECTED RELATION TO THE TOOTH BAND, A RELATIVELY FLAT LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING FLANGE HAVING AN EYELET ADJACENT EACH OPPOSED END OF THE FLANGE, EACH EYELET PROJECTING FORWARDLY FROM THE FACE OF THE FLANGE AT SUBSTANTIALLY RIGHT ANGLES TO THE FLANGE, AND A CENTRALLY DISPOSED CHANNEL FORMING A TRANSVERSE CONTINUATION OF SAID FLANGE ALONG THE TOOTH BAND, THE TERMINAL END OF SAID CHANNEL BEING RECESSED TO PROVIDE A TRANSVERSE NOTCH BETWEEN SAID CHANNEL AND TOOTH BAND FOR RECEPTION OF AN ARCH WIRE THEREIN. 